A common theme throughout Catalonian history is its nationalism, whether expressed through symbolism in artwork, culture, or traditions. The struggle and movements toward Catalan autonomy and independence is a historically ongoing issue. But the question is, where did this nationalism stem from? What are the origins of Catalan separatism?
Catalan deeply desired to be recognized as their own country, but this freedom and privilege had been taken from them. In the New Order of 1716, “Catalan language had been forbidden in all legal and official matters” (Judd), which only fueled their rebellion. Under Franco’s regime in 1939, there was major “discrimination against Catalonian commerce, language, and culture” (Petherbridge-Hernandez), and against this regime, they were powerless. Oppression was significantly apparent in schools as instruction of Catalan culture was even disallowed. With chronic inner tension and conflict, Catalonia could hardly set reasonable goals, let alone have successful movements and rebellions to become a nation.
In an attempt to hold on to and revive their nation, the Modernism movement provided an opportunity to express their nationalism. And with their inner conflicts, Modernism served as a way to unify the people amid their struggles. With their right to speak their language being stolen from them, along with their right to instruct the children of their own culture, their loss of land, and their rule under oppressive leaders, all of this only fueled the flame. The ongoing discrimination - the origin of their separatism - is what stemmed Catalan to rebel and fight for autonomy, to become their nation apart from Spain.
Works Cited:
Judd, Ryan T. “Corruption and Catalan Independence.” South Carolina Journal of International Law and Business, vol. 10, no. 2, 2014, pp. 300–337.
Petherbridge-Hernandez, Patricia, and Rosalind Latiner Raby. “Twentieth-Century Transformations in Catalonia and the Ukraine: Ethnic Implications in Education.” Comparative Education Review, vol. 37, no. 1, 1993, pp. 31–49., doi:10.1086/447163.
Dowling, Andrew. Catalonia since the Spanish Civil War: Reconstructing the Nation. Sussex Academic Press, 2013.